AACA’s event was last week but we highly recommend this film. The history of scientific discoveries that led scientists to their overwhelming agreement today about the cause and acceleration of climate change are described for the average person. You can stream it on PBS by clicking on this link .
Another resource to to check out from this link:Science Friday
Monday April 29 at Shoreview Library, Dr. Steve Jorissen provided a great presentation about how any household can reduce its carbon footprint.
“Warming Planet’s freezing Message:
As Climate destabilizes Minnesota could see polar snaps more frequently.”
Minneapolis Star Tribune February 4, 2019
Want to learn more about how humans do contribute to climate change and what each of us can do to help slow down its trajectory? Then Drawdown is the book for you, your friends and neighbors. Start a discussion by displaying it on your coffee table!
“In the face of widespread fear and apathy, an international coalition of researchers, professionals, and scientists have come together to offer a set of realistic and bold solutions to climate change. One hundred techniques and practices are described here—some are well known; some you may have never heard of…” New York Times review
On October 25, Connexus Energy held a ribbon cutting celebration for its new project that combines solar panels and storage batteries. This project has two sites, one in the City of Ramsey and one in Athens Township.
See more about this great new project in this article or this video from Community Television Network of Coon Rapids….
University of Minnesota Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Ned Mohan presented a two part series on confronting the seriousness of climate change and energy from renewables like wind and solar. Energy conservation was also discussed.
His presentation is an accurate and real depiction of how climate change is right now impacting families, communities and invaluable landscapes across the world. He also discusses the cause of climate change and solutions.
Below are a few visuals from his presentation. Click here to see the full presentation.
Winning awards and making a difference for generations to come… How Liberty Apartments and Townhomes and Hilton Garden Inn are Leading the charge in clean living.
How would you like to live in a cutting edge community development that not only cuts your cost of living, but makes a real difference to the future of our planet? The Liberty Apartments and Townhomes in Golden Valley is building a new template for multi-residential housing. They are creating a view into a better future by integrating sustainable solar energy into their new apartment complex project. The complex will consist of 55 townhomes, 200 apartments units and a community clubhouse equipped with pool that boasts 1,448 Solar Panels alone.
One of many benefits of committing the project as a sustainable solar community from inception, is the labor and installation costs are greatly reduced versus trying to retroactively adapt to clean energy years later. Residents of the apartment complex will also see the benefits from day one, consuming clean energy and offsetting 5,325 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over 25 years. They can also track the amount of electricity they are generating by smartphone app or online.
The development of Liberty Apartments and Townhomes will create jobs and opportunity for local companies. Twelve local design and installation jobs, will be created and multiple local companies such as Werner Electric will be part of the project. The solar arrays, consisting of 900 PV panes and 280,000 watts of energy will be designed and constructed by TruNorth and connected to Xcel Energy distribution system.
This project stands as an example of what can be accomplished in our communities using solar integration. The excitement for the project is growing. It won the 2018 Environmental Initiative award and is creating buzz within the development community as a leader in what can be done. Through partnership (more than nine companies!) they are showing the world what can be accomplished with solar. Learn more at http://www.TruNorthSolar.com or visit www.LiveAtTheLiberty.com for more information.
Another local business getting props for sustainability and clean energy initiatives is Hilton Garden Inn in Maple Grove. They ranked the top in efficiency out of 27 hotels in their management group here in the Midwest. What makes this accomplishment so noteworthy is that they were able to achieve an 80 on Energy Star portfolio manager, not by new expensive technology, but by high staff engagement.
While guests will notice some LED lighting, they may not notice the due diligence of the staff behind the scenes. Efforts are made by cleaning, maintenance and kitchen staff to adjust thermostats, shut off lights, close windows and blinds, perform regular equipment repairs and shutt of exhaust hoods between breakfast and dinner service. These small but impactful efforts add up and make a huge difference in energy and cost savings.
Hilton Garden Inn is able to accomplish this through teamwork and a strong sense to do the “right thing” by the entire team, starting at the top. Team members have a say in the projects they take on, and management supports them by providing the tools to be successful and finally the results of their efforts. They use a Green Scorecard where they track more than 150 conservation items. A Green Committee with representatives for each hotel in the group as well as a Green Newsletter are also used to initiate and promote new ideas.
What would our communities look like if all businesses had such insight, vision and the drive to do what is best for its customers and communities? Examples such as these allow us to visualize what a better future could look like. With such successes as Hilton Garden Inn in Maple Grove and Liberty Apartments and Townhomes in Maple Grove hopefully other businesses and future developments will hop on the clean energy and sustainability band wagon.
On Thursday, July 19th Northwest Metro Climate Action was privileged to host Sam Potter, Climate Scientist with a doctorate in atmospheric and oceanic sciences from Princeton University to speak at the Maple Grove Library. His presentation “Three Minnesota Futures: A Future to Fear, A Future to Prepare For, and A Future to Fight For” provided plentiful insight and information on the causes and current impacts of climate change. He also spoke about the possible future impacts depending on the decisions and changes we make regarding burning of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions.
What makes Minnesota, Minnesota to you?
Sam started with this simple question that sparked images of snowy days and sun sparkle off summer lakes. Or fresh morning snow and hot chocolate on bitter cold days. Or what about the smell of pines and blooming spring flowers? We all have our own feel of Minnesota that we hold in our hearts and consider with pride.
How will climate change impact our great state, then? First, we need to understand what causes climate change. In simplified terms, the sun heats the earth, including land, water, people, etc. The earth in turn emits energy or radiation back into the air. Some of this radiation escapes, but much of it stays. Increased CO2 levels hold more of the radiation in the atmosphere, which in turn causes global warming.
The below chart shows the peaks and valleys of CO2 density in the atmosphere for the last thousands of years. The 0 on the horizontal axis represents current time period, to which you can see an unprecedented spike of CO2 parts per million of 408.32.
Heat on the earth is absorbed in several ways. The first way is by the ocean which absorbs about 90% of it. The remaining 10% of heat is absorbed in the melting ice caps, land with some run off into the atmosphere. The increased heat and therefore increased temperatures of ocean, icecaps and land has impacts such as rising sea levels, killing of coral reefs and other ocean ecosystems, melting permafrost and disrupted farming practices.
Climate scientists use complex models that have been proven out to predict what our world will look like in the future including rainfall, drought, temperatures, sea levels and weather changes. Right now climate scientists have predicted three futures; the future to fight for, the future to plan for and the future to fear. Of course, which future we end up with depends on how much we reduce our carbon output now and in the very near future.
Global warming is more focused on higher latitudes. This means Minnesota is one of the fastest warming states. Most of us don’t need to see the chart below to know our springs and winters have gotten warmer. Already our Minnesota winters have gotten an average of 4-5 degrees F warmer, while spring has gotten 2-3 degrees warmer. In the
In the next 50 years we may lose 30 additional days below freezing and gain 30 days above 90 degrees. Not only will this significantly change Minnesota’s climate but also where and how we grow food, our eco systems and how we live.
The greatest impact of this heat will be on water. As the atmosphere heats up, its demand for water increases, sucking more and more from the earth. And while flood-causing rains will increase, the number of days with light and moderate rain will decrease and days without rain will increase. Droughts will be widespread and common; and those countries or states already water strained will struggle to find relief.
Much of this information we have heard before. This is why Minnesota and the rest of the world is working to mitigate the impacts of climate change. But is it enough? Sam spoke to the Paris Agreement and Minnesota’s own energy goals. No, they are not enough, was his definitive answer.
We have a lot of work to do and we need to start now. Our CO2 reductions need to go beyond the goals we have set for ourselves. But how we do this?
In Sam’s presentation he discusses the importance of meaningful action. Meaningful action recognizes that many of the tools needed for a fossil-fuel free future are already here, but renewable energy, non-car infrastructure, energy efficient buildings, robust local food economies, etc. won’t magically appear on their own. Collectively, people need to demand them (policy changes), while also reducing overconsumption and waste (societal changes).
Meaningful action also recognizes that nothing will magically save us. The only currently viable CO2 removal methods are soil carbon enhancement and re-planting forests, but they at best remove a fraction of the CO2 put into the atmosphere by fossil fuel burning. And finally, meaningful action confronts the past honestly and does not leave anyone behind.
Northwest Metro Climate and many other environmental organizations we partner with are working hard to promote the kind of meaningful action Sam talks about. Whether it be calling your legislatures and demanding they take action, or ensuring our communities are educated and voting on climate, there is no shortage of work to be done. The good news is that this means there are also plenty of ways to get involved.
To learn more contact Northwest Metro Climate Action by emailing Info@nwmetroclimateaction.org to get on our email list to find out more about how you get involved or join us at any of our upcoming events.
To see Sam Potter’s full presentation Click here to see Sam Potter’s full presentation or visit his site here.
On Wednesday, February 21st Nothwest Metro Climate Action welcomed Brent Bergland, Gen. Manager for Energy Storage at Mortenson Construction to discuss the future of large capacity battery storage for renewable energy. Brett talked to the audience about the wide range of energy problems that battery storage solves, market challenges and the future of battery storage.
Mortenson plays a big role in the market, and while they are not the largest company they are certainly one of the most innovative and passionate. Their work in engineering, construction and integration of energy storage systems interconnected to local energy grids and behind-the-meter commercial applications is nationally recognized. Currently, lithium ion batteries dominate the large capacity market and is where Mortenson mostly focuses.
At a high level, battery storage benefits consumers, corporations, developers and utilities. They make the grid more efficient, reliable and resilient as well as lower costs.
Battery Storage benefits fall into two main categories for the consumer and utilities: avoid costs and generate additional revenue.
One of the great benefits of battery storage is that they can mitigate and eliminate the demand charges for peak need. In the evening as family members return to their houses and begin to use high amounts of energy, the solar energy stored from the daytime or wind during the night can be utilized.
Battery storage can also enhance operational performance. If there are issues with the grid or main stream energy disruptions, batteries can step in and help save potentially lost business and/or productivity.
Generation facilities can also improve real time performance with battery storage. If for example, a storm rolls over a facility during the day, battery stored energy can kick in and help. It can also provide power quality services for the grid as well as pair up with other forms of generation to make the grid more flexible.
This all sounds pretty great, right? So why are we not seeing more of it? The main reason is that energy policy and rules are antiquated, especially in Minnesota. This makes it difficult for companies and utilities to invest more. One reason for this is that the fast changing technology and demand make getting up to date information into the rule makers hands difficult. But even before the information must come the thirst for it. Legislatures must be open-minded and want to understand this new technology and the great benefit it has to their constituents and the state.
Another reason is that the use of battery storage for companies and developments takes a lot of data that is currently not being consistently captured and analyzed. Mortenson relies heavily on data gathering companies, one being MN based OATI, to help gather energy data for their projects.
Even though all market outlook projections look good, it is only fair to note the few downsides of battery storage. Lithium batteries main component is cobalt, which is mined in Congo. The instability of this country can cause large swings in pricing. There are also environmental and human rights concerns with this mining as well.
The market has also not totally figured out how to recycle batteries in a safe and environmentally friendly way. That being said, companies are popping up with innovative ways to reuse the batteries and as the market continues to expand, the expectation is so will supporting markets such as these.
Brett did a great job of making this very complicated subject consumable. One of Brett’s focuses with Mortenson is on battery storage education for the general public, governing bodies and legislatures. As the market of battery storage continues to grow all the while creating jobs and dropping energy prices, you can bet Minnesota’s own Mortenson will remain on the front lines.
On Tuesday, January 9th Zac Ruzycki of Great River Energy made a presentation titled “Great River Energy – Leading Cooperatively toward a Cost-Effective and Carbon Constrained Future” to NW Metro Climate Action members and guests.
Great River Energy is a “generation and transmission” cooperative that provides electricity to local electric co-ops across Minnesota. Zac’s presentation led the captivated audience through several topics including changes in the industry, wholesale power markets and MISO as well as the numerous steps GRE has taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It was a fascinating look into the world of energy and how the markets actually work, and what role renewables play now and in future.
If you’d like to learn more visit the Great River Energy site, where you will find plenty of the information covered during the presentation.
As mentioned, GRE is involved with several innovative programs to promote energy consumption and renewable energy. Below is more information and helpful links on the great work Great River Energy is doing.
…GRE’s “Rәvolt” program which offers 100% wind energy at no extra charge for car charging by electric customers who buy electric cars
…GRE’s headquarters building in Maple Grove is very energy efficient. It was the first LEED Platinum commercial building in Minnesota
…GRE’s “Community Storage Initiative”, a program to help homeowners save money and reduce carbon footprint through use of electric water heaters that use cheaper nighttime electricity
…GRE’s partnership in a pilot project to bring electric school buses to Minnesota that will reduce emissions, fuel costs and maintenance costs
…GRE has accelerated the depreciation of its largest coal-fired generating plant so that its members will not be saddled with a “stranded asset” if/when burning coal becomes off-limits
…GRE appreciates wind energy! At minute 10:49 of the video linked immediately above, CEO David Saggau says “wind is quickly becoming the new baseload power, and to be viable going forward, all other resources must be flexible enough to be supplement to the wind”.
NW Metro Climate Action looks forward to a continued partnership with our local leaders in Renewable Energy.